All Medals

References:   MACo 1971-013-006, WR 6

The medal's obverse bears the image of early Anglo-Saxon coin with bust of King Offa above a metal worker about to strike a medal; all surrounded by border of rope and waves. In coin, OFFA REX; at bottom right, TORNEI

The reverse bears Lion rampant with tower and star over sea shells. Around, (rosetta) CINCINNATI (symbol) MILLING (clover leaf) MACHINES (symbol) LIMITED (rosetta); in exergue, 1934 - 1964; signed at bottom, B.M & F. Co LTD.

King Offa ruled the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia from 757 to 796.  He is regarded as having been the most powerful Anglo-Saxon ruler until Alfred the Great's reign which started fifty years after Offa's death. Offa's reign is known for coinage that is of much higher quality than that of its neighbors, undoubtedly a reason for the Cincinnati Milling Machines Company to reference him on their medal.

The Cincinnati Milling Machines Company was formed in 1889 for the purpose of building and promoting innovative new machine tool designs, especially milling machines. The two principals were Frederick A. Geier and Fred Holz. It is unclear what significance the year 1934 had for the company and why the company, whose founders have very German-sounding names, picked a reference to the King of Mercia for this commemorative medal.

The circular medal measures 58mm in diameter and was struck in bronze. No mintage is reported.

The medal's obverse bears bust of Choate left. Around left edge, CHOATE; at lower right, signed H. A.

The reverse bears oil lamp of Century Association above, surrounded by C - A; circled ANS oak leaves below; laurels around. In center field, JOSEPH HODGES CHOATE / 1832 - 1917 / PATRIOT / AMBASSADOR / JURIST / ORATOR

Joseph Hodges Choate, born in Salem, Massachusetts, was a famous lawyer who litigated many of the most prominent cases in the late 19th century. He allied himself with the Republican Party and was a frequent campaign orator. In 1894 he was president of the New York State constitutional convention. In 1899 he was appointed ambassador to England by President McKinley and held that position until 1905. When World War I broke out he became a fervent supporter of the Allied cause. His death in 1917 was hastened by the physical strain of supporting the British and French commissions in New York.

Herbert Adams was a personal friend of Joseph Choate.

This medal was co-issued by the Century Association and the American Numismatic Society (ANS) in 1922. It was the 44th medal issued by the ANS. It was also the first in a series of medals commemorating men who distinguished themselves in public service.

The medal measures 64mm (2.5in) in diameter. The Medallic Art Company of New York struck 238 pieces in bronze and 98 in silver. Originally the bronze pieces were available for $5 and the silver pieces for $10.

References:   ANS 44, Baxter 224, MACo 1922-022, Marqusee 2

The medal's obverse bears portrait of Vail, facing. Around, on raised rim, THEODORE NEWTON VAIL / HE MADE NEIGHBORS OF HVNDRED MILLION PEOPLE; signed, barely visibly, over right shoulder, LUINI

The reverse bears old-fashioned phone receivers connected by wires on raised rim. In center field, PRESENTED · BY · THE / AMERICAN · TELEPHONE · AND / TELEGRAPH · CO · TO · THE · TELEPHONE / PIONEERS · OF · AMERICA · AS · A / MEMORIAL · TO · HIM · WHOSE · LIFE / CHARACTER · AND · INDUSTRY · WERE / AN · INSPIRATION · TO · THE / MEMBERS · OF · THAT · SOCIETY / MONTREAL (oak leaves) CANADA / SEPTEMBER · 10 · 1920

This is the first version of the Theodore Newton Vail medal. It was delineated by Harry Bates Thayer, company president, honoring famed American telephone pioneer and company founder Theodore Newton Vail.  The medal was only issued for the four years between 1917 and 1920.  Adolph A. Weinman designed and modeled the later version of the medal that was used from 1922 onwards.

The circular medal measures 76.6mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by Tiffany & Co. of New York. No mintage is reported. The medal probably exists in at least silver, probably even a few pieces in gold, but I have not seen any evidence of those variants.

The medal's obverse bears upper body of a Native American morphing into a corn cob, with figure's clothes turning into the cob's husk.  Around, ··· THE NATIONAL CORN EXPOSITION ··· / OMAHA 1908

The reverse bears grain stalks arranges in wreath shape around center field with legend: Honor Award / to

The National Corn Exposition of 1908 was the brain child of Omaha businessman and civic leader Gurdon W. Wattles. He had already been the force behind the Trans Mississippi and International Exposition of 1898.  The exposition ran from December 9 to December 19, 1908, and attracted over 7,731 exhibition entries.

The circular medal was struck in gold-plated bronze. I know neither artist nor mint or mintage. Any additional information would be deeply appreciated.

References:   Murtha 466

References:   MACo 1930-001-038, SoM 38

The medal's obverse bears imaginary scene aboard American ship with two men witnessing the British bomardment of Fort McHenry with large American flag rising above clouds of powder smoke. Around top, "'TIS THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER"

The medal's reverse bears medallic portrait of Francis Scott Key with draped American flag and laurel branches.  Around, · NATIONAL STAR-SPANGLED BANNER CENTENNIAL · / BALTIMORE, MD. U.S.A. SEPT. 6-13.1914

"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort M'Henry", a poem written on September 14, 1814, by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by British ships of the Royal Navy in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore in the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the large American flag, the Star-Spangled Banner, flying triumphantly above the fort during the American victory.

The circular medal measures 50.9mm in diameter and was struck in bronze by the Whitehead-Hoag Company of Newark, New Jersey. No mintage is reported.

References:   Baxter 272